Patent Application
20140223658
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of lavatory systems, and more specifically, to lavatory systems provided with an improved overflow drain and lateral profile configuration.
Typical lavatory systems such as sinks, hand washing stations, etc. may use overflow drains that are formed with separate sections of tubing or pipe, of passages that are integrally formed into a basin or other fixture or assembly. However, there are many challenges associated with typical lavatory systems.
As such, one or more embodiments herein may provide an improved overflow drain and/or lateral profile for lavatory systems.
One embodiment relates to a lavatory system comprising a basin configured to receive at least one faucet, the basin defining a primary drain passage and first and second overflow drain passages; and an overflow adapter configured to be mounted to a rear surface of the basin, the overflow adapter defining an adapter passage such that when the overflow adapter is mounted to the basin, fluid received by way of the first overflow drain passage is directed through the adapter passage and to the second overflow drain passage.
Another embodiment relates to a lavatory system comprising a basin defining a primary drain passage and at least one overflow drain passage; a plurality of faucets coupled to the basin and configured to provide fluid to users of the lavatory system; and an adapter assembly coupled to a rear portion of the basin and configured to receive fluid from the at least one overflow drain passage; wherein the primary drain passage is configured to receive the fluid provided to the adapter assembly from the at least one overflow drain passage.
Another embodiment relates to an adapter assembly usable a lavatory basin to form an overflow passage, the adapter assembly comprising a body portion having a first side and a generally circular periphery; a generally circular recess defined by the first side and configured to direct fluid between first and second overflow passages of the basin; and a seal assembly provided between the recess and the periphery of the body portion, the seal assembly configured to prevent the passage of fluid from the recess and between the first side of the body and the basin.
Referring to the FIGURES generally, a lavatory system is shown that is usable in a variety of different environments, including various public, commercial, or similar environments, to enable users of the lavatory system to, for example, wash their hands, etc. Generally, the lavatory system provides a wash area for users to wash hands using one or more faucets, soap dispensers, or other lavatory fixtures that may be mounted to the lavatory system or be otherwise accessible to users.
Referring to
In one embodiment, basin assembly 12 is mounted to a wall 11 (e.g., a bathroom wall, etc.) or other structure by way of mounting assembly 14. Mounting assembly 14 may include a mounting structure 70, one or more mounting brackets 72, support members 74, or other mounting components. Any suitable mounting components may be used to securely mount lavatory system 10 to a wall or other suitable structure.
Basin assembly 12 is configured to receive water, soap, etc. from one or more fixtures that may be mounted to basin assembly 12, and direct the water, soap, etc. to drain assembly 16. Drain assembly 16 in turn directs the materials to a conventional drain system (e.g., as part of a commercial building, etc.). While lavatory system 10 is shown in the FIGURES as generally having a single drain assembly 16, according to various other embodiments, multiple drain assemblies may be incorporated into a single lavatory system and be usable in connection with a single basin assembly.
Cover assembly 18 may be used to conceal one or more portions of basin assembly 12, mounting assembly 14, drain assembly 16, or other components of the lavatory system to provide a more visually appealing appearance to lavatory system 10. For example, drain assembly 16 may include a trap or other features that may be visually unappealing or otherwise require a barrier or cover. As such, cover assembly 18 may provide a cleaner, more simplistic appearance relative to other lavatory systems.
According to an exemplary embodiment, basin assembly 12 includes a basin 22, an adapter assembly 24, a cover plate 26, and a fastener 28. Basin 22 includes a bottom portion 30, a backsplash or rear portion 32, a top portion 34, and a flange portion 36 that cooperate to define a contoured wash area and direct water from one or more fixtures to a primary drain passage 38 formed in bottom portion 30 of basin 22. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A-4D, bottom portion 30 may provide a generally smooth, contoured (e.g., concave) surface between opposing lateral ends that directs water to one or more drain passages. Rear portion 32 extends generally upward from bottom portion 30 to top portion 34, and top portion 34 extends generally laterally relative to rear portion 32 and extends to flange 36, which is usable to mount basin 22 to an appropriate mounting assembly such as mounting assembly 14. According to an exemplary embodiment, basin 22 is a unitary piece of material that may be cast, formed, molded, or otherwise produced from an appropriate material (e.g., a solid surface, porcelain, an engineered stone, etc.).
Cover plate 26 acts as a strainer or filter to prevent undesirable debris or other materials from entering the primary drain passage 38, and is secured in place by way of fastener 28 or other appropriate means. Drain passage 38 directs water from basin 22 to drain assembly 16. Basin 22 further includes first and second overflow drain passages 40, 42 that fluidly communicate with adapter assembly 24 to form an overflow passage that directs water back to primary drain passage 38.
According to one embodiment, adapter assembly 24 is configured to provide a shallow profile overflow passage. Adapter assembly 24 includes an adapter plate 46 that is fastened to a rear surface of basin 22 by way of one or more fasteners (not shown) and a seal member 48 (e.g., a gasket, o-ring, etc.). Adapter plate 46 includes a body portion 52 having a first side or surface 54 that defines a recess or cavity 56 (e.g., a passage, channel, etc.) and a seal recess or cavity 58 configured to receive seal member 48. One or more apertures 60 may be provided to receive the fasteners that are usable to secure adapter plate 46 to basin 22.
Referring to
Recess 56 may be generally circular in shape, and is sized to provide fluid communication between first overflow passage 40 and second overflow passage 42. In various other embodiments, recess 56 may take other shapes (e.g., oval, irregular-shaped, etc.), sizes, etc. As shown in
As shown in
During normal use, primary drain passage 38 directs the water to drain assembly 16, which in turn directs the water to a conventional drain system. As shown in
It should be noted that adapter assembly 24 may provide for a lower profile overflow drain passage relative to the distance from the wall 11 lavatory 10 is mounted on compared to other more conventional designs. In other words, the amount of space that adapter assembly occupies may be relatively less than, for example, a molded overflow drain passage, a drain passage pipe, or similar components that require space for pipe or mold curvatures, etc. This allows for greater flexibility in specifying the distances D1, D2, and D3 shown in
In some embodiments, the use of adapter assembly 24 provides for a lavatory system that extends a lesser distance outward from a wall or other structure relative to more conventional designs. For example, top portion 34 may form a “faucet pad” or shelf area intended to provide mounting features for one or more fixtures and enable users to temporarily rest personal items on the faucet pad during use of the lavatory system. In some embodiments, top portion extends from the wall approximately 7 inches. In other embodiments, top portion extends no more than 7 inches from the wall. In yet further embodiments, top portion 34 may extend more or less than 7 inches from the wall. Furthermore, as noted above, the “reach” of the lavatory system (i.e., the distance from the center of a faucet mounted to the sink assembly to the front surface of bottom portion 30) may be approximately 11 inches, or no more than 11 inches.
Referring to
It should be understood that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the lavatory system shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. Some like components have been described in the present disclosure using the same reference numerals in different figures. This should not be construed as an implication that these components are identical in all embodiments; various modifications may be made in various different embodiments. It should be noted that the components and/or assemblies of the lavatory system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations.
